UK News Archives - The International Institute of Marine Surveying (IIMS)

UK MAIB Annual Report shows 1,585 accident reports in 2025

Posted on October 1, 2026October 1, 2026 by News Hound

The UK MAIB has published its Annual Report 2025.

The UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) has published its Annual Report 2025, recording 1,585 accident reports to UK vessels worldwide or any vessels within UK coastal waters during 2025.

The MAIB started 16 new investigations in 2025 and published 17 accident investigation reports.

It also made 50 recommendations that were issued to 26 distinct addressees in 2025 of which 90% were accepted – a 5% increase on the previous year.

Chief Inspector of Marine Accidents, Rob Loder, said: “The reporting of marine casualties and incidents continues to increase year-on-year, although the growth of the reporting rate has slowed. Continue reading “UK MAIB Annual Report shows 1,585 accident reports in 2025”

New UK maritime syllabus review to keep pace with modern technologies and practices

Posted on August 24, 2026August 24, 2026 by News Hound

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) has launched a new rolling review of the UK maritime syllabus to ensure high-quality and up-to-date training.

Backing has been secured for five-yearly revisions of the UK syllabus that training centres must teach students to learn up-to-date skills for safe and successful employment at sea.

Future changes to the syllabus, which has been taught in a newly revised version since September 2025, will be reflected in the recently launched electronic Training Record Books (eTRBs) and digital assessments. Continue reading “New UK maritime syllabus review to keep pace with modern technologies and practices”

UK publishes ETS maritime compliance guide ahead of July implementation

Posted on June 24, 2026June 24, 2026 by News Hound

The UK government has published the ETS maritime compliance guide to help shipping companies prepare for the inclusion of maritime transport in the UK Emissions Trading Scheme (UK ETS) from 1 July.

The guidance explains which vessels and operators fall within the scope of the scheme, as well as the requirements for emissions monitoring, reporting and the surrender of allowances. It applies primarily to ships of 5,000 gross tonnage and above engaged in domestic UK voyages and activities within UK ports. Continue reading “UK publishes ETS maritime compliance guide ahead of July implementation”

UK Maritime Innovation Hub is now live

Posted on June 8, 2026June 8, 2026 by News Hound

UK Maritime Innovation Hub is now live

An initiative to help the UK’s marine sector become safer and reach decarbonisation goals has been launched. The UK Maritime Innovation Hub, a service of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA), will be providing coordinated access to regulatory engagement for organisations developing innovative maritime technologies.

As maritime technologies evolve, timely engagement between innovators and the regulator is increasingly important. The UK Maritime Innovation Hub supports early dialogue to help organisations understand regulatory considerations, explore available pathways, and identify appropriate next steps. Continue reading “UK Maritime Innovation Hub is now live”

Mike Proudlove takes over as IIMS President

Posted on June 3, 2026June 3, 2026 by News Hound

Mike Proudlove (left) accepting the President's medal from IIMS CEO, Mike Schwarz, at the 2026 AGM — Mike Proudlove (left) accepting the President’s medal from IIMS CEO, Mike Schwarz, at the 2026 AGM

At the IIMS Annual General Meeting, broadcast live from the Institute’s headquarters on Tuesday 2 June, long-standing member, Mike Proudlove FIIMS, took over as the next President. He will serve a two-year term.

In handing over the reins to Mike, the outgoing President, Capt Ruchin Dayal, gave a passionate final address from his Goa location as he spoke to an audience of nearly 100 members and other interested parties (in-person and online). He said how honoured he has been to have carried out the role of IIMS President and offered some highlights of his time in office, one being last year’s high-profile Goa Continue reading “Mike Proudlove takes over as IIMS President”

UK support for the Cape Town Agreement is huge step forward for international fishing safety

Posted on May 20, 2026May 28, 2026 by News Hound

IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez receives MCA Director for Technical Maritime Services Fraser Heasley and MCA Fishing Vessel Safety Lead David Fenner, to confirm the UK’s accession to the Cape Town Agreement

Fishing is one of the world’s most dangerous industries, and the International Maritime Organization’s Cape Town Agreement (2012) aims to improve the safety of fishers on an international scale via the Cape Town Agreement.

The agreement sets out mandatory minimum safety standards for fishing vessels, more than 24m in length, and their crew, as well as the combating of illegal, unregulated, and unreported fishing. Coming into force next year, the Cape Town Agreement is expected to boost safety standards for tens of thousands of vessels worldwide, covering areas like survey and inspection, protection of crew, emergency procedures, and construction. Continue reading “UK support for the Cape Town Agreement is huge step forward for international fishing safety”

CEO blog: February 2026

Posted on February 15, 2026February 9, 2026 by CEO

You do not need me to remind you that we are surrounded by innovative, marine sector tech on all fronts, racing ahead and burgeoning, seemingly at a pace I can’t recall at any point in my lifetime. And as one gets older (rather like me these days), it is easy to turn a blind eye to what’s happening, and to plough on with what we know, accepting the norm, hoping it will all just go away. But of course, it doesn’t, so we must try and embrace what’s new and cope with the inevitable change and resulting disruption to our lives it brings.

For younger and less experienced marine surveyors, I’d suggest ignoring what is Continue reading “CEO blog: February 2026”

UK-led maritime consortium reveals plan for nuclear-powered fleet

Posted on January 21, 2026January 28, 2026 by News Hound

Pictured: Left to right: Nick Tomkinson, GNSP; Simon Williams, Rolls Royce; Blair Jamieson, Babcock; Mark Tipping, Lloyd’s Register; Kirsti Massie, Stephenson Harwood; and Mike Salthouse, NorthStandard

The UK is taking a decisive step towards leading the global race to decarbonise shipping with the launch of the Maritime Nuclear Consortium and its plans for a nuclear-powered fleet.

Convened by Lloyd’s Register (LR), the group unites leading expertise from the nuclear, maritime, insurance and regulatory sectors to set the highest international standards for safe, secure and commercially viable nuclear-powered ships. Continue reading “UK-led maritime consortium reveals plan for nuclear-powered fleet”

What caught my eye: February 2026

Posted on January 15, 2026January 15, 2026 by CEO

Llangollen Canal breach

For my first two stories this month, I turned to the UK inland waterways, always a source of inspiration. The first story is shocking as you are about to find out.

Just before the Christmas holidays, a severe breach occurred on the Llangollen Canal near New Mills Lift Bridge, Whitchurch, with devastating consequences for several boaters. Footage of this extraordinary event shot around the UK news channels as it made the headlines. Continue reading “What caught my eye: February 2026”

Post Construction Assessment papers trigger official policy review

Posted on December 23, 2025January 7, 2026 by News Hound

Paper 2 on Post Construction Assessment by Tom Keeling attracts encouraging response

Throughout 2025, work continued on Recreational Craft Directive (RCD), Recreational Craft Regulations (RCR) and Post Construction Assessment (PCA) research, with a newly drafted paper by Tom Keeling – known as PCA 2 – receiving an encouraging response from Graham Russell MBE, Chief Executive of OPSS (Office for Product Safety & Standards). The paper is due for wider release in early 2026.

Since the release of the PCA 1 paper in 2024, IIMS has remained engaged with Continue reading “Post Construction Assessment papers trigger official policy review”

UK Lords Committee criticises delay in implementing recommendations from marine accident reports

Posted on December 8, 2025December 15, 2025 by News Hound

In its 44th report of Session 24-26, the cross-party House of Lords Secondary Legislation Scrutiny Committee has criticised the length of time taken by the Marine and Coastguard Agency (MCA) to implement recommendations from marine accident reports, made by the Merchant Shipping (Vessels in Commercial Use for Sport or Pleasure) Regulations 2025 (the Regulations). The Regulations set out various requirements for small and large vessels and introduce additional requirements arising from recommendations made in two reports by the Marine Accident Investigation Branch. Continue reading “UK Lords Committee criticises delay in implementing recommendations from marine accident reports”

Lundy Explorer report published by MAIB

Posted on August 22, 2025September 29, 2025 by News Hound

The MAIB's Lundy Explorer report has identified some important safety issues — The MAIB’s Lundy Explorer report has identified some important safety issues

The Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) has published the Lundy Explorer report, an incident which left one passenger severely injured. On 7 June 2023, the rigid inflatable boat (RIB) Lundy Explorer departed Ilfracombe Harbour for a sea safari trip. While leaving the harbour the boat encountered a high wave, which caused it to slam into an oncoming wave. A passenger sitting in a jockey seat in the front of the RIB, where the highest shock loads were experienced, was dislodged from their seat and suffered a fracture of their spinal column that resulted in permanent paralysis. Continue reading “Lundy Explorer report published by MAIB”

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